Hey everyone! I wanted to get this chapter done and posted before exams started up again (it's mock exams a mere month after out Christmas exams). Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter and I'll try to get one more chapter posted up beofre the exams. The only writing time I have is at the weekends as I'm literally forbidden from doing anything that isn't music or school related Monday to Friday. :P Well, that's enough about me whining about my life. I hope you guys enjoy the chapter! Remember, please review!

Sven paced as he waited for Keith to arrive. Luxray sat on a large rock nearby, motionless except for his swinging tail which occasionally scuffed the ground.

If Keith didn't hurry up and arrive, Sven would forced to go on without him.

Luxray snorted with displeasure, just as Sven heard the steady beat of wings.

Finally, Keith was here.

"Took you long enough." He said by way of greeting as Keith dropped from the bird.

Keith didn't reply.

"Come on. Let's go find Kate." Luxray lead the way into the underground ruins, his yellow eyes glowing in the dim light.

Sven switched on his torch but shook his head when Keith went for his. "Save it. We might need it later."

Sven and Keith moved slowly, wary of missing something important or stepping on an unseen Pokemon.

They were in the entrance of the chamber where they had faced a Spiritomb during the time of Dim Sun when they realised something was wrong.

The chamber was completely empty of Pokemon and the Odd Keystones that the Spiritomb occupied weren't right.

Sven extended an arm, catching Keith, just as he was about to enter the cavern.

"What's wrong?" Keith sounded worried.

Sven shone his torch onto one of the Keystones. "Do they seem odd to you?"

"Not-" Keith squinted. "They do actually. They look like they're made from metal or something."

Sven bent down to pick up a stone. He tossed it into the center of the Keystones. The top rangers barely had enough time to jump back as a thick metal grille crashed down before them. Had they been in the room, they would have been trapped.

As the echo of the crash died away, Sven heard the distinctive sound of a countdown.

"Run!" He bellowed.

Keith didn't need to be told twice.

Kate was expecting Ice as the door swung open. Instead, Lavana stood there, scowling, manicured nails tapping a holstered gun.

Kate wasn't sure how scared her more. Ice had never truly been openly hostile but he seemed more cunning and much more ruthless than his red-haired partner-in-crime.

Lavana cast a glance around for the tray, saw it untouched and her scowl grew.

"I've come to warn you." Somehow, Kate didn't think it was Lavana's idea to warn her. "Ice says that you'd better be ready to talk the next time he comes."

Lavana pursed get lips and Kate was forced to choke back the insane desire to laugh at her disgruntled expression.

"And I suggest you eat. It might be all you get for a while."

Lavana laughed while Kate's hands formed into fists. At that moment, she wanted to hurt Lavana, gun or no gun.
"I'll see you later." With that, Lavana left, the door slamming shut after her.

Kate relaxed as the echo died away. She couldn't remember really hating anyone until Ice and Lavana had kidnapped her.

What did they want with her? The Union had no bloody secret plans so what was Ice talking about? A nasty thought struck Kate. What if the Union was planning something and hadn't told her? Who knew about the plans, if anyone other than Erma and Hastings knew?

Kate forced herself to push all the bad thoughts about the Union to the back of her mind. She needed to find out what Ice was planning and then escape.

And she needed to do it fast